Exhibitor registration is now open!

Exhibitor registration has officially opened! Exhibitors will receive an email with their username and password to access the registration site. Pavillion Leaders will be sent special instructions  regarding registration for your pavillion participants.

Exhibitors are allotted a specific number of complimentary badges based on booth size as follows:

100-150 square feet: 4 complimentary badges
200-250 square feet: 6 complimentary badges
300-350 square feet: 8 complimentary badges
400-550 square feet: 15 complimentary badges
600-850 square feet: 20 complimentary badges
900-1150 square feet: 25 complimentary badges
1200 square feet: 30 complimentary badges
1200+ square feet: 30+1 per 100 NSF

Additional badges over the specified allotment will be charged $25 each.


Deadlines for registration in order to receive badges prior to the show are as follows:

International (via fax or mail): September 12
International (online): September 14
U.S. (via fax or mail): September 30
U.S. (online): October 13

Registrations received after these dates will be held for pickup onsite at the Exhibitor Registration Counter.

CLICK HERE for Exhibitor Registration.


Questions about registration or your booth can be directed to:
Sandra Kulas, AAPEX Show Coordinator
708-223-1300 ext. 19
sandra.kulas@aapexshow.com

The Space Drawing is in Progress!

Space selection for AAPEX is done at an online space drawing, which is now in progress. Schedules are still going out to confirm space drawing appointments. Be on the lookout for yours if you haven’t already received it! Exhibitors who miss their appointment for the Space Drawing will have their booth automatically assigned to them by show management.


Exhibitors who have not yet contracted for space will not be eligible for the Space Drawing. Applications received will be assigned space on an available basis.

Some tips for the Space Drawing:

- Follow along in real time to check availability of the booths you selected. If your selections have already been assigned, be prepared to select another booth during your scheduled time. Go to www.aapexshow.com/ShowFloor

- On the day of your scheduled time, show management will call you. Be sure to have your team available 15 minutes before the scheduled time. Sometimes we're actually running ahead of schedule!


Questions about the Space Drawing? Please contact Sandi Kulas at show management:
708-226-1300 ext. 19
Sandra.kulas@aapexshow.com

AAPEX Show Goes Global on Facebook

The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) has turned to social media as another means to communicate with show attendees throughout the world. 

“By having an AAPEX presence on Facebook, we can reach a global aftermarket audience, keeping them up-to-date on the latest news about the industry’s premier trade event,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association. “Fans of AAPEX can receive a wealth of information on such topics as show registration, how to get the most out of the show and things to do in Las Vegas.”

Fans of AAPEX on Facebook receive timely, relevant information to help them navigate the event and their Las Vegas experience. They can view videos, ask questions, interact with other attendees, provide feedback, link to www.aapexshow.com and even register for AAPEX from the Facebook page.

“The AAPEX Facebook page is particularly useful to communicate directly with our global attendees and those who have not visited Las Vegas or attended AAPEX before,” noted Steve Handschuh, president and COO of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association. “The networking with other industry members prior to the event will be invaluable in assuring both long-time AAPEX participants and first-time attendees a successful AAPEX experience.”

To become a fan of the AAPEX Show on Facebook, visit http://www.facebook.com/AAPEXShow.  For those who are not currently enrolled on Facebook, the sign up process is quick and easy.

2011 Sponsorship Brochure now available!

Want to stand out in the crowd? Consider purchasing one of the many sponsorship opportunities available at AAPEX 2011. Choose from a variety of opportunities ranging from on-site signage to pre-show web ads and everything in between. Or create your own sponsorship, customized to fit your specific needs.

Visit our page on Marketing Opportunities to download the 2011 Sponsorship Brochure, and plan your promotional strategy.

AVI Conference: High-end Technical Training in Vegas

AVI and AAPEX have joined forces this year to bring you TWO exciting events at ONE time! AVI will be bringing their world class technical training to AAPEX at Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas!


Get out to vegas for industry week for top notch training and more at AAPEX. All classes will be geared towards the needs of the installer/technicians/shop owners to help them be more ef??icient with diagnostics.

Join headlining speakers Dave Scaler, John Thornton, Bob Pattengale and more for a dynamite training event right in the heart of industry week! Technicians will be able to take advantage of all the valuable industry events at the same time and place!

The registration cost for attendees will be $395 early sign-up, $450 after October 15th.

For more information, including a schedule of sessions, CLICK HERE.

Why Face to Face Meetings Still Matter

In today’s social media-focused economy, it’s become increasingly common to have long, complex and lasting business relationships with other people without ever speaking to them in person—or even on the phone. More of the average business’s sales support, customer service and other customer-facing functions are moving to the Web instead of being handled in person. And with cost-cutting foremost on everyone’s mind, conventions, conferences and meetings are all going virtual, too.

In this environment, you might suppose that there’s no longer much need to meet face to face. Well, you’d be wrong. The white paper from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and sales and marketing services company Maritz analyzed scientific research and found in-person events are better than virtual events at capturing attendees’ attention, creating positive emotions and building relationships and networks.

“The Future of Meetings: The Case for Face-to-Face” aims to help companies planning events use scientific criteria to figure out when a virtual approach, an in-person approach or a combination of the two is called for. The researchers found that face-to-face works best in three situations:

1. To capture attention, especially if you are launching something new. Speaking toBtoB Online, study co-author Mary Beth McEuen noted that attendees at virtual events are more likely to multitask and filter certain information out. “[Multitasking] engages a different part of your brain, and information doesn’t make it into long-term memory,” she says. In contrast, the range of stimuli at an in-person event–from speakers to meals to meeting new people—creates novelty, which helps people be more open-minded and creative.
2. To inspire a positive emotional reaction. An event that involves interacting with other people in the flesh creates a positive emotional experience. Those positive emotions become attached to the companies involved in the event, as well as contributing to make attendees more open to new experiences.
3. To build networks and relationships. The study draws a distinction between sharing information—which can easily be done virtually—and creating networks or relationships, which still requires in-person human interaction. The research shows relationships forged in person are stronger.  As McEuen notes, “Trust is built more effectively face-to-face.”

This study focused on large events and meetings, since the organizations involved were meeting-related. However, I believe the same applies to every meeting—even just between two people. You can email, tweet and even talk on the phone all you want, but there’s no substitute for the kind of energy and connection that happens when you actually get together with a colleague or customer in person.

That’s why, no matter how busy I get, I always make time for face-to-face meetings.In my experience, they’re invaluable for building relationships that last—and that help grow your business.

How do you feel about face-to-face? Is it more—or less—important in your company these days?

reprinted from: http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/04/face-to-face-meetings-matter.html

AAPEX registration is OPEN!

Attendee early registration (only $25) for AAPEX is now open at www.aapexshow.com.

November 1st, the doors of the exhibit hall will swing open to mark the official start of the 2011 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), the world’s largest business-to- business event for the global motor vehicle aftermarket.

It couldn't be easier to register and book your rooms for AAPEX 2011! Plus, we are pleased to announce that we have partnered with Travel Planners this year as the official housing provider. Just completed your registration then click through to book your rooms and your done!

Any questions regarding AAPEX REGISTRATION please contact:

Customer Service at 866-229-3687 or 708-486-0700 or emailaapexsema@compusystems.com

Any questions regarding AAPEX HOUSING please contact:

Travel Planners directly at 800-221-3531 (US/Canada) or +1-212-532-1660 (International)

or atgroups@tphousing.com

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We look forward to seeing you at AAPEX in November!

-AAPEX Show Management